I ran 8 miles today, with 5 tempo miles in the middle. I've been doing speed stuff on Tuesdays the past several weeks now. Today, I planned on aiming for about 8 minute pace for the tempo miles, but I had the 7:50-55 pace in the back of my head from my last marathon training plan.
It was super windy, and I stayed conservative on the first tempo mile. But despite that, my first two tempo miles were right around the 8 minute pace, and the next three were in the 7:55-50 range. I slowed down for the last mile and made my way home. Good run. The running might just be coming back. But don't say anything -- I really don't want to jinx it!
I ate an entire bowl of popcorn and a wheat pita stuffed with avocado and tomato slices. Changed my clothes and then headed to 90 minutes of hot yoga. The room got up to 100* tonight, and I was SWEATY! Problem is, I didn't rehydrate enough after my run and my salty sweat was pouring into my eyes through the whole class. Ouch! But the concentrated, meditative stretching was awesome anyway.
I'm pretty psyched my legs are working and my running is getting solid again. I've been thinking a lot about what it took to get me here, and I'll post about that later. I've learned some really important stuff about returning from injury.
Have you ever had an injury that sidelined you? How did you make your return?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
"You were like Forrest Gump!"
What a weekend of running!
I started out on my long run later Friday afternoon, and almost right away realized I was going to be cold. But, I really just felt like r u n n i n g so I kept going. About 8 miles in, I stopped at my sister's where I had stashed a small bottle of water and a banana. Ate half the banana and a couple swigs of water, grabbed my gloves and kept running. And running. And running. I kept the pace slow and easy and after 13 miles decided to add a couple more on. I kept running. By mile 14, I headed toward home. I was losing energy by mile 15, and after 16 miles I was freezing and hungry and it was getting dark, so I decided to stop.
I haven't run 16 miles since the marathon last May. I just wanted to run on Friday and keep going. I wanted to remind myself I can run long. It was a good run.
Saturday morning I did 4 easy miles before heading to work at the running store. Then, this morning, I wanted to keep running. So I headed over the bridge to the city to run around the Art Museum loop on Kelly Drive. I love driving up the Ben Franklin Parkway with all the flags flying and the museum up ahead.
I set out up the Kelly Drive side of the loop and questioned my attire. Again, like both runs the past two days, a cold wind blew through me and chilled me. But there were lots of people out and lots of stuff to see along the run today, and as I made my way past one of my favorite parts of the run, this big rock,
I grinned a bit. It's been a long time since I've run over here because of the time off last fall, and I love running this path! The river was jammin' with dozens of crew teams assembled for a regatta. There were other runners and cyclists and in-line skaters (people still do that?) on the path. The skies were clear and blue and sunny. The wind was at my back on the second half of the run so I wasn't as cold. As much as I was feeling good and could've kept going, I decided to play it safe for my leg and call it a day after 8 miles.
28 miles in 3 days. I stretched, wore my compression socks, and was careful to rehydrate and refuel well after all 3 runs. Tonight, I feel good. I feel like my running is getting solid again. It's been a long time coming.
Last night I went out to dinner with friends. I told them about my run Friday night, and one of them replied with, "You were like Forrest Gump! You just kept running and running and running!" I giggled at that, but it really does sum up my weekend. I just wanted to keep running. I didn't care about pace, and I kept it comfortable. I just wanted to run.
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Thanks to RFTL, Aimee, Jen, Charisa, Maria, and HRG for your comments on my last post. I'll keep writing entries here even if no one reads them because I like to have a record of my life -- but it is nice to know people are checking in here every so often!
Maria -- I'll check out that recipe! While I'm not officially still doing the clean/vegan eating challenge, I haven't fully added everything back into my diet yet. I had pan seared flounder last night, and I did have some coffee this weekend -- and while I tried it with just almond milk (nah) and just the non-dairy vanilla creamer (eh), it wasn't good until I put a little sugar in it. So, my time of not eating added sugar is officially done. I will allow myself a small teaspoon of sugar in my coffee, but I'm not planning on adding it elsewhere just yet.
On that note, here's what I made for dinner tonight: Tofu Veggie Quiche from the savvyvegetarian site.
I started out on my long run later Friday afternoon, and almost right away realized I was going to be cold. But, I really just felt like r u n n i n g so I kept going. About 8 miles in, I stopped at my sister's where I had stashed a small bottle of water and a banana. Ate half the banana and a couple swigs of water, grabbed my gloves and kept running. And running. And running. I kept the pace slow and easy and after 13 miles decided to add a couple more on. I kept running. By mile 14, I headed toward home. I was losing energy by mile 15, and after 16 miles I was freezing and hungry and it was getting dark, so I decided to stop.
I haven't run 16 miles since the marathon last May. I just wanted to run on Friday and keep going. I wanted to remind myself I can run long. It was a good run.
Saturday morning I did 4 easy miles before heading to work at the running store. Then, this morning, I wanted to keep running. So I headed over the bridge to the city to run around the Art Museum loop on Kelly Drive. I love driving up the Ben Franklin Parkway with all the flags flying and the museum up ahead.
28 miles in 3 days. I stretched, wore my compression socks, and was careful to rehydrate and refuel well after all 3 runs. Tonight, I feel good. I feel like my running is getting solid again. It's been a long time coming.
Last night I went out to dinner with friends. I told them about my run Friday night, and one of them replied with, "You were like Forrest Gump! You just kept running and running and running!" I giggled at that, but it really does sum up my weekend. I just wanted to keep running. I didn't care about pace, and I kept it comfortable. I just wanted to run.
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Thanks to RFTL, Aimee, Jen, Charisa, Maria, and HRG for your comments on my last post. I'll keep writing entries here even if no one reads them because I like to have a record of my life -- but it is nice to know people are checking in here every so often!
Maria -- I'll check out that recipe! While I'm not officially still doing the clean/vegan eating challenge, I haven't fully added everything back into my diet yet. I had pan seared flounder last night, and I did have some coffee this weekend -- and while I tried it with just almond milk (nah) and just the non-dairy vanilla creamer (eh), it wasn't good until I put a little sugar in it. So, my time of not eating added sugar is officially done. I will allow myself a small teaspoon of sugar in my coffee, but I'm not planning on adding it elsewhere just yet.
On that note, here's what I made for dinner tonight: Tofu Veggie Quiche from the savvyvegetarian site.
I tweaked the recipe a bit (added some mushrooms and omitted the sauce but added a couple things in its place) and it was pretty good. Oh - and I also made the crust with all whole wheat flour and a Smart Balance vegan spread. Next time I make it, though, I'll use less parsley (too overpowering!) and play with the "sauce" a bit more to adjust the flavors. It was perfect with a side of melon and grapes, but it would be yummy with a small side salad, too. Leftovers for the next couple days!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
A Bowl of Cereal.
On Monday, I was really wanting to add some stuff back into my eating. I wanted to, but I was nervous. I was uncertain about where to start. I was nervous about the effects on my weight. I was hesitant to open that door -- afraid that once I do, I'll easily fall back into my old habits. Not to say my old habits were bad -- I was a pretty healthy eater to begin with -- but the past 14 days have been so clean.
It took me all day. I had my smoothie for breakfast, a salad for lunch, an apple and grapes for a snack. Finally, late in the afternoon, I broke into the good stuff.
It took me all day. I had my smoothie for breakfast, a salad for lunch, an apple and grapes for a snack. Finally, late in the afternoon, I broke into the good stuff.
A bowl of my yummy cereal. Kashi Heart to Heart honey toasted oat cereal. With almond milk.
After a trip to the grocery store, I didn't come home with much outside the vegan world. I got a loaf of the delicious whole wheat bread I usually eat -- and was happy to note there's no added sugars in it, and few ingredients. Hmm. That's it, actually. The rest of the stuff I got was for salads and the veggie/lentil stew I made last week.
I enjoyed slices of the bread with smashed avocado with my stew for dinner that night, and since then I've had a couple spoonfuls of the fat free frozen yogurt that's been in my fridge. I may throw the rest out. If it weren't there, I'd likely not want it.
I may try coffee with almond milk and no sugar this week. We'll see.
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Aimee suggested (funny - no one else is even reading this blog these days) what I would feel if I did this for a whole month. I'm curious about that, too, actually. I know I could do it -- once you make the switch it becomes "what can I eat today" vs. "what can't I eat" -- but I was feeling stuck and my running seemed lagging. And I miss some of the other stuff.
I'll do the strict challenge again. Maybe longer next time. Heck, I'm sort of still in it now.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Clean Eating Challenge -- two week recap and the first day of Spring
For the past two weeks -- 14 days -- I've eaten only vegetables, fruit, nuts, beans. For the first few days I used skim milk and a raspberry viniagrette, but by the 3rd or 4th day, I stopped that as well. I've used soy sauce, but no other condiments. I've switched to almond milk. I have not had:
*any meats -- no chicken, beef, fish
*any added sugar, other than that from natural sources such as fruit, honey, agave nectar, molasses -- so no white sugar at all.
*any bread. I did try two bites of the Irish soda bread that my sister made on St. Pat's, but that's it.
*any pasta.
*any dairy. No cheese, yogurt, etc., at all, and no milk since day 3, when I stopped the skim milk.
The only drinks I've had are water, some 100% OJ (though pasturized), and two cups of herbal tea -- sweetened with agave nectar. I did break this, though, on two occasions: a few beers on St. Pat's and a few beers last night at the running store's anniversary party. The first time, my stomach wasn't happy at all. After last night, my stomach was ok, but my head hurt terribly.
I'm rarely bothered by what I can't eat these days. I've had some moments of really wanting cheese, or coffee, or the yummy dinner my sister made the other night -- but those moments don't really bug me, and they don't really last.
I've lost about 6-7 pounds, and anywhere from a half inch to an inch in places on my body. People keep asking how I feel, and I'm conflicted about that. If I weren't so stuffed up with a sore throat and head cold last week, I think I'd have a better handle on things. I think I feel normal, actually.
But I do know that my running the past few days has been weak. And that's one of the reasons I think I need to add some stuff back in. It could, honestly, have more to do with the time of the month, but I feel like some things I want to reintroduce, anyway, so maybe they'll help, too.
I think I'm going to add some whole grain bread back in. That's what I eat normally, anyway, so that won't be tough. I also will probably add some chicken. I like chicken.
I miss coffee. I don't need it -- and I only have one cup on days I drink it -- so it wouldn't kill me if I never have it again, but I like it in the mornings. I'll experiment with what I put in it, though -- because I'm going to stay strong with limiting the added sugar in my diet.
I also miss the greek yogurt I started to like, and my Turkey Hill fat free frozen yogurt. I'll probably add those in sparingly. I like my Kashi cereal, so I want that, too.
And as I write all this, I have a small nervousness about adding any of it. Right now, I'm planning on a smoothie for breakfast tomorrow, and I've made a salad of mixed greens/veggies/chick peas/walnuts with balsamic vinegar and olive oil for lunch...
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Today is the first day of Spring. I drove to the beach with my sister and her family and got to run along the coast. It was a bit chilly and windy but sunny, and it was a good, quick, run.
*any meats -- no chicken, beef, fish
*any added sugar, other than that from natural sources such as fruit, honey, agave nectar, molasses -- so no white sugar at all.
*any bread. I did try two bites of the Irish soda bread that my sister made on St. Pat's, but that's it.
*any pasta.
*any dairy. No cheese, yogurt, etc., at all, and no milk since day 3, when I stopped the skim milk.
The only drinks I've had are water, some 100% OJ (though pasturized), and two cups of herbal tea -- sweetened with agave nectar. I did break this, though, on two occasions: a few beers on St. Pat's and a few beers last night at the running store's anniversary party. The first time, my stomach wasn't happy at all. After last night, my stomach was ok, but my head hurt terribly.
I'm rarely bothered by what I can't eat these days. I've had some moments of really wanting cheese, or coffee, or the yummy dinner my sister made the other night -- but those moments don't really bug me, and they don't really last.
I've lost about 6-7 pounds, and anywhere from a half inch to an inch in places on my body. People keep asking how I feel, and I'm conflicted about that. If I weren't so stuffed up with a sore throat and head cold last week, I think I'd have a better handle on things. I think I feel normal, actually.
But I do know that my running the past few days has been weak. And that's one of the reasons I think I need to add some stuff back in. It could, honestly, have more to do with the time of the month, but I feel like some things I want to reintroduce, anyway, so maybe they'll help, too.
I think I'm going to add some whole grain bread back in. That's what I eat normally, anyway, so that won't be tough. I also will probably add some chicken. I like chicken.
I miss coffee. I don't need it -- and I only have one cup on days I drink it -- so it wouldn't kill me if I never have it again, but I like it in the mornings. I'll experiment with what I put in it, though -- because I'm going to stay strong with limiting the added sugar in my diet.
I also miss the greek yogurt I started to like, and my Turkey Hill fat free frozen yogurt. I'll probably add those in sparingly. I like my Kashi cereal, so I want that, too.
And as I write all this, I have a small nervousness about adding any of it. Right now, I'm planning on a smoothie for breakfast tomorrow, and I've made a salad of mixed greens/veggies/chick peas/walnuts with balsamic vinegar and olive oil for lunch...
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Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Clean Eating -- Days 9 & 10. I passed up a Hershey's Kiss.
Yesterday I headed back to the track. With my cold, I wasn't sure what I'd do or how it would feel, but I planned on trying for 2x 400 and then if that went well I'd do 2x 800. First 400's went ok, and low and behold, so then did the 800's! I was right at the paces I was shooting for. It wasn't easy, but I wasn't dying either. With how my head was so stuffy, I'll take it!
After a post-run/really early dinner of a baked sweet potato and a small bowl of cucumber/tomato/avocado/black bean salad, I headed to yoga. I warned my teacher I may need to bail if I got dizzy again (the room's at about 95* during the class) like I did the last time I went to yoga while sick, but I ended up doing just fine. I didn't feel like I had as much strength as usual, but I completed the class and felt really good about it.
Rather than listing what I've been eating, I'll just say I haven't added anything new. Yesterday and today's menus were typical of what I've been eating over the past week. People keep asking me how I feel -- and I have to tell them I'm not sure. With my cold, I don't feel great in general, so it's tough to know how my body would be feeling 10 days into the clean eating if I weren't sick. I do know I'd like to drop a few more pounds, and I'm not bugging out for a burger or sugar or anything just yet. Yesterday I really wanted cheese, but today it's not bothering me.
There is something that I'm sorta weirded out by, though: Someone put Hershey's Kisses in our mailboxes at work today, and I took mine out and gave it to a coworker without even a thought. No pang of man, I really want that. Just gave it away. I guess that's good, but whoa. That's new for me. Weird.
Today's run was in the hilly part of town. First 5 by myself, last 3 with the group run at the store. So now I'm hanging on my chunky chair with my feet up and my legs wrapped in compression. Ahhh.
And for the best part of today: I met my sister and nephews at the store where my 7 year old nephew registered to run the kids race -- a 1/4 mile run around the high school track -- after the store's 5k this weekend. He was SO excited!!! I gave him the money, and then he filled out the registration on his own, handed it in, and then got his number (they all get #1) and his t-shirt. He wore it for the rest of the day. :) How awesome is that?!
After a post-run/really early dinner of a baked sweet potato and a small bowl of cucumber/tomato/avocado/black bean salad, I headed to yoga. I warned my teacher I may need to bail if I got dizzy again (the room's at about 95* during the class) like I did the last time I went to yoga while sick, but I ended up doing just fine. I didn't feel like I had as much strength as usual, but I completed the class and felt really good about it.
Rather than listing what I've been eating, I'll just say I haven't added anything new. Yesterday and today's menus were typical of what I've been eating over the past week. People keep asking me how I feel -- and I have to tell them I'm not sure. With my cold, I don't feel great in general, so it's tough to know how my body would be feeling 10 days into the clean eating if I weren't sick. I do know I'd like to drop a few more pounds, and I'm not bugging out for a burger or sugar or anything just yet. Yesterday I really wanted cheese, but today it's not bothering me.
There is something that I'm sorta weirded out by, though: Someone put Hershey's Kisses in our mailboxes at work today, and I took mine out and gave it to a coworker without even a thought. No pang of man, I really want that. Just gave it away. I guess that's good, but whoa. That's new for me. Weird.
Today's run was in the hilly part of town. First 5 by myself, last 3 with the group run at the store. So now I'm hanging on my chunky chair with my feet up and my legs wrapped in compression. Ahhh.
And for the best part of today: I met my sister and nephews at the store where my 7 year old nephew registered to run the kids race -- a 1/4 mile run around the high school track -- after the store's 5k this weekend. He was SO excited!!! I gave him the money, and then he filled out the registration on his own, handed it in, and then got his number (they all get #1) and his t-shirt. He wore it for the rest of the day. :) How awesome is that?!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Clean Eating -- Day 8. Razorblades In My Throat.
I'm forcing a rest day today. I haven't taken a complete rest day in just shy of 3 weeks -- on my off days from running I've been swimming or biking -- and with my throat feeling like there are razorblades in it and my energy low because I'm not sleeping (because of my throat), I figured it would be smart to give my body some rest. And as I say that, I'm a little embarrassed because my volume of training is so minimal compared to others. Well, anyway, a rest day it is. I napped for a short bit when I got home from work, and then I did all sorts of house stuff -- taking out the recycling, cleaning out my old handbag and putting stuff in the new one, emptying the dishwasher, etc...
(As an aside, how many other people carry a tennis ball and a GU in their handbag at all times?)
When I got up this morning I made a cup of decaf herbal tea. First drink other than water and a little oj since the challenge started. I just really felt like a hot tea might make my throat feel better. I put a little blue agave in it and it was pretty good! My throat still hurts this evening, but the tea was good enough that I had another cup later in the day. Here's how the rest of the food played out:
*breakfast -- smoothie
*lunch -- bowl of the veggie stew from last night. Some pineapple chunks. One of the cookies I made.
*snack -- popcorn and an apple.
*dinner -- haven't had it yet, but I'm going to try for some salad. I feel like I need some raw veggies. Probably mixed greens/chick peas/carrots/tomato/avocado/walnuts with some balsamic/olive oil on top. We'll see how well that works.
*dessert -- will likely be one or two of those cookies.
I'm off to the running store tonight to hear a talk on hydration and fueling in the summer heat. Since my body hates runnning in the heat, I'll see if they have anything new for me to consider.
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Stats from the first week: My weight fluctuates a couple of pounds through the course of the day every day. Weighing myself in the morning before I get dressed for work, it looks like I might be down about 5 pounds. I've lost about one inch in my boobs (yay!) and around a half inch in other places like my waist, hips/butt, thighs. One of the reasons I've decided to continue the clean eating is to drop a few more pounds, but I'm not sure if that will happen or not. Ideally, if I could lose about 5 more and then hover there, I'll be happy. It's not race weight (that would be 3 more) but it's where I'm most comfortable.
Jen -- thanks for asking -- my calf is doing well! I've been babying it with compression and stretching after each run, and my super slow return to any quality running probably helped, as well.
As another aside, it was one year ago today that the craigslist stuff started...
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Clean Eating Challenge -- Day 6 & 7. Not Enough Water.
I'm fully engulfed in a head cold now. Grr. My nose is red and stuffy, my throat hurts, and there's some sort of ringing in my ear. Fabulous.
After running an easy 5 miler with my sister yesterday morning, I worked at the running store all day. We were so busy I never had time to eat and I barely had much water. I got about 10 free minutes late in the day, so at that point I ate an apple. I was hungry when I got done, so I ate more for dinner than I should have. Here's the breakdown:
*breakfast -- smoothie. I'm loving it with the almond milk, but I'm in desperate need of a new blender.
*lunch -- one apple and a handful of almonds
*dinner -- the salad I had made for my lunch -- mixed greens/spinach, chick peas, tomato, carrots, avocado, walnuts. Balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Then I had a small bowl (1/2 cup?) of brown rice with peas, seasoned with soy sauce. I cut up a pineapple and ate a few chunks while I did, and then I had some popcorn, too. Sheesh.
Not.enough.water.today.
Went to bed with my cold raging. Saturday night, and I think I was asleep before 10:30pm. Sooo dehydrated when I woke up.
Sunday's eats:
*breakfast -- smoothie
Then I spent an hour in the grocery store, pouring over the produce and organic foods sections. Got some good recipes to try today and some good food stocked up.
*snack -- rest of the brown rice/peas (about 1/4 cup)
Then I went for a 6 mile run. With my head super heavy, it wasn't that easy, but I ran on a trail near my house for most of it and really enjoyed that part.
*post-run snack/lunch -- pineapple and popcorn. And one of the yummy cookies I made this afternoon:
Lots of veggies, lentils, and quinoa made this a thick, rich stew. I do feel like I got away from the "raw-ness" of what I've been eating, but everything in this and the cookie recipe is as close to clean as I could go. With my sore throat, having a stew was way more appealing than another salad...
*dessert -- another cookie and a couple pineapple chunks.
Not.enough.water. Again today. I'm actually looking forward to going back to work tomorrow just to increase my water intake. Maybe lots of water will flush this head cold/sore throat out of my system.
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Aimee asked about my weight. I've been keeping stats on my weight and some body measurement since Day 1. Tomorrow, after 7 full days on this challenge, I'll post some of the differences.
I do plan on continuing this eating challenge for one more week. I feel like 5 days/7 days isn't enough to really reset things. The only thing is St. Patrick's Day is this Thursday and I'm planning on meeting friends at a bar after work. And, the running store's anniversary party is next Saturday, so I'll have to see what those two days will bring. As of now, I'm thinking I'll keep up the eating, but I might enjoy a beer or two :)
After running an easy 5 miler with my sister yesterday morning, I worked at the running store all day. We were so busy I never had time to eat and I barely had much water. I got about 10 free minutes late in the day, so at that point I ate an apple. I was hungry when I got done, so I ate more for dinner than I should have. Here's the breakdown:
*breakfast -- smoothie. I'm loving it with the almond milk, but I'm in desperate need of a new blender.
*lunch -- one apple and a handful of almonds
*dinner -- the salad I had made for my lunch -- mixed greens/spinach, chick peas, tomato, carrots, avocado, walnuts. Balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Then I had a small bowl (1/2 cup?) of brown rice with peas, seasoned with soy sauce. I cut up a pineapple and ate a few chunks while I did, and then I had some popcorn, too. Sheesh.
Not.enough.water.today.
Went to bed with my cold raging. Saturday night, and I think I was asleep before 10:30pm. Sooo dehydrated when I woke up.
Sunday's eats:
*breakfast -- smoothie
Then I spent an hour in the grocery store, pouring over the produce and organic foods sections. Got some good recipes to try today and some good food stocked up.
*snack -- rest of the brown rice/peas (about 1/4 cup)
Then I went for a 6 mile run. With my head super heavy, it wasn't that easy, but I ran on a trail near my house for most of it and really enjoyed that part.
*post-run snack/lunch -- pineapple and popcorn. And one of the yummy cookies I made this afternoon:
I got this recipe from the internet, but I can't seem to locate which site I found it on. Rats. I'll have to dig more tomorrow. They are made with oats/molasses/whole wheat pastry flour/cinnamon/baking powder/vanilla/raisins. With all those ingredients, I feel like I'm cheating a bit. The cookies are good, but I have what I think is a simpler (cleaner?) recipe to try later in the week. I'll keep you posted!
*dinner -- After a brief rest on my deck chair with my face in the (warm) sun (but cool temps!), I set about making the veggie stew I found on this blog. It was delicious!!!
*dessert -- another cookie and a couple pineapple chunks.
Not.enough.water. Again today. I'm actually looking forward to going back to work tomorrow just to increase my water intake. Maybe lots of water will flush this head cold/sore throat out of my system.
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Aimee asked about my weight. I've been keeping stats on my weight and some body measurement since Day 1. Tomorrow, after 7 full days on this challenge, I'll post some of the differences.
I do plan on continuing this eating challenge for one more week. I feel like 5 days/7 days isn't enough to really reset things. The only thing is St. Patrick's Day is this Thursday and I'm planning on meeting friends at a bar after work. And, the running store's anniversary party is next Saturday, so I'll have to see what those two days will bring. As of now, I'm thinking I'll keep up the eating, but I might enjoy a beer or two :)
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